Twenty-four professional voices combine in this choral ensemble, bringing to life rarely-performed, striking works by contemporary classical composers. The result: a kind of music-making you won't find anywhere else.

Our 46th Anniversary season

We open this season with a concert for winter unlike any other concert you'll hear in Chicago. In her WFC conducting debut, guest conductor Carling FitzSimmons offers a new exploration of the season of frigid darkness, warmth and light. Join us in marking our next chapter and hear the Chorale as you've never heard us before.

carling Fitzsimmons Guest Conducts WFC 46th Season

For some, conducting an ensemble as established as the WFC could be daunting. For Carling, it's the next step in her already diverse and impressive ascent as a unique voice in Chicago's rich musical landscape. One of only a handful of conductors to direct the ensemble, Carling creates a legacy of her own as the first female and youngest rising talent to bring her vision to our stage.

highlights from this and the past season: what featured composers had to say

I struggle to find words that adequately express how beautiful the Chorale concert was the other night. Not just the exquisite performance of the music, but the strong sentiments expressed by yourself, the singers, and the audience. I am so honored to have been a part of such a historic event. The performance of my piece was absolutely flawless under your direction.

— Chad McCoy

The ensembles coalesced to present among the most beautiful and cogent interpretations I have ever heard, all the more impressive given the 1979-2016 spectrum of works you so artfully chose. Thank you for allowing me to join in the procession of composers which from its inception the William Ferris Chorale has brought to Chicago for similar fetes. The experience of Chicago has been transformative. I tell you in all candor that I heard sounds which I had never before heard—you have granted this composer an indelible experience and profound sonic memory.

— Leo Nestor, composer

Congrats to you and the Chorale on a great program! Sending best wishes of the season, with thanks for remaining a steadfast champion of living composers while maintaining the highest standards of traditional choral performance.

— William Hawley, composer

In regard to A Festival of Carols (or any piece that I write), I have to say that I simply put notes on a page....However, you take all of that and you make it into music. You, with your singers, and Keryn Wouden, have given life to those notes—in a most glorious way—and for that I am deeply grateful.

Congratulations to you, to your wonderful singers, and to your fabulous harpist on your brilliant success of Strike the Harp and Join the Chorus! May your performances of this program next weekend continue to be enthusiastically received and brilliantly successful!

— Frank Ferko, composer

support the william ferris chorale today

Your support has allowed the William Ferris Chorale to enchant its audiences for the past 45 seasons with concerts of seldom-performed works that evoke the soundscape of our time. Your support today ensures future seasons of repertoire you won’t hear anywhere else, and helps us continue providing the kind of top-notch performances you have come to love and expect from the William Ferris Chorale.